Working towards a degree in medicine can take years and years of hard work. Many students want to supplement their schooling with work experience that centers on medicine. A great choice for them is to become a medical research assistant. Assistants are employed by many different organizations and individuals and a student can not only earn money but they can help further their practical knowledge as well.

Medical Research Assistant Career

Laboratories and hospitals are the two main employers of research assistants. They often hire them on a temporary or contract basis. The assistant is hired with the understanding that they will focus on one particular research project and when that is completed, their employment will end. If the research assistant is a graduate student, the term of their employment may actually extend until they complete their degree.

If a student has an interest in some particular branch of medicine they will want to seek out medical assistant positions that focus on that. For instance, many large hospitals have a research department that is centered on working on treatments or finding the causes of certain illness such as cancer or diabetes. Obtaining a medical research assistant position such as this allows the student to expand their knowledge base while at the same time helping with the research.

Another type of medical research assistant position involves clinic research studies. These are often conducted by pharmaceutical companies and the assistants are given many responsibilities. Some of those might include helping to find viable candidates for the study, interviewing and evaluating them and also helping to gather the much needed data during the testing period. This can also be a very lucrative choice for a research assistant, but these jobs are often salaried and the person is expected to participate in any studies that are held.

Clinical Research Assistant Duties

Many doctor’s offices also employ people to act as a medical research assistant. This is often the case if the doctor is interested in alternative treatments or current advances in treatments. The assistant is expected to research all viable treatment options and then report back to the doctor on their findings.

The doctor will typically give them very specific guidelines that they must follow and the information they do gather but be cited in full and prepared in a manner that the doctor suggests. This can be a very demanding position but it’s also highly rewarding considering the assistant is often instrumental in helping the doctor undercover an effective course of treatment for one or more of their patients.

One way that becoming a medical research assistant benefits a person is the added knowledge they gain that will help further their medical career. Some people who begin working in this field can decide to pursue further training so they can become a medical researcher. With all the advances being made in medicine today, this is an important job and a wonderful career choice.

Although medical assistants are in high demand today, qualified instructors are also needed. A medical assistant instructor is the person who is responsible for training the assistants so they are prepared to work in the most demanding field there is, medicine. Although most instructors are actually medical assistants they still need some special training to take on the role of teacher and guide.

Job Description and Tasks

They need to be well-versed in all areas of medical terminology and language. This is because one important aspect of any medical assistant’s job involves understanding the complicated terms that a doctor or other health care professional is apt to use on a regular basis. The medical assistant instructor’s understanding of this material must be thorough so they can address any questions that the students under their guidance may have.

The instructor will also cover material that is related to the anatomy and physiology of human beings. They are responsible for teaching this material to those enrolled in their class. Although they are given an outline of the course materials that they must cover, they are also given the freedom to develop lesson plans that are appealing to those studying this part of medicine.

Some individuals who choose this career path decide to focus on one specific branch of medicine. They may opt to teach medical assistants who are interested in working in an ophthalmologist’s office or those who want to work in a podiatrist’s clinic.

In order to be qualified to take on a position as a medical assistant instructor, one must have extensive experience working in a setting like that. Typically instructors who do ultimately become experts in their chosen field have already worked in a medical assistant capacity within a specialist’s office for several years.

Career Paths and Education

There are generally two different career paths among medical technician careers that instructors can take. One is to pursue a career in a college that offers a medical assistant program. These jobs are often few and far between because many medical assistants decide to become instructors. The better choice for many people is to be a distance medical assistant instructor.

This is a little different but still just as rewarding and lucrative. The instructor works with individuals who are pursuing their education online. The lesson plans are sent via the Internet and the instructor is only an email away should any of the students have a concern or question. This is often a good choice for an instructor who has found it difficult to secure a position in their area.

Just as medical assistants are advised to upgrade their education every few years to stay abreast of any relevant advances in medicine, instructors should do the same. This will help them in many ways including have the necessary knowledge and insight needed to guide their students to being the best medical assistants they can be.

As with most professionals, there is an organization designed to aid those who choose a career in medical assisting. The American Association of Medical Assistants has been in operation since the mid nineteen fifties and since then as grown into a valued resource for anyone who has an interest in this field.

Joining The AAMA

There is a cost associated with joining this organization and it is typically dependent on several factors. A certified medical assistant will pay a different fee than someone who is currently still immersed in their studies. Also, each state has a different fee schedule in place, so it’s advised that anyone interested in joining the organization ask about the fees that are required in the area in which they live.

Dues are required each year and when you join will impact when your membership will expire. If you happen to join before May of any calendar year, you can expect yours to expire at the end of December of that same year. If you join after the beginning of May, your registration will be valid until the December of the following year. Obviously this makes joining in the latter half of the year a more economical choice.

There are several different types of members in the American Association of Medical Assistants. The first one that is offered is an active one. This applies to anyone who is a medical assistant and also anyone who has kept their membership active.

The next type of membership is an affiliate member. To qualify for this particular type of membership an individual generally doesn’t have their certification and they don’t fall within the parameters set forth for the other types of memberships.

An associate member hasn’t yet taken the examination needed for them to be certified but are still doing the medical assistant training. The people who usually apply as an associate member are those who just recently finished their studies and are awaiting the date of their exam.

AAMA Membership Benefits

Student memberships have some restrictions that go along with them. One restriction is that a student membership cannot go beyond a three year time period. Also the person applying under a student membership must be actively enrolled in school to become a medical associate.

An honorary membership is a special membership that applies to someone who isn’t in the field of medical assisting however they are committed to helping those who are. Doctors or registered nurses often fall into this category as do educators.

All the benefits of membership as an american association of medical assistants are clear and anyone who is considering entering this profession would do well to apply for membership. In addition to discounts on training and conferences, members are also able to network with others who have chosen the same career as them.

Do you still need a medical assistant certification if you’ve already been working as one for several years? Many veteran MAs got the job without the benefit of formal training. Unlike today when education is an important requirement to be considered for the job, a high school diploma was enough prerequisite then to work in a doctor’s office doing both secretarial and minor clinical functions.

Medical assistant certification is voluntary and not mandated by law to work as a medical assistant. But the nature of health care service delivery has become more complex and being a fast learner just won’t cut it for most employers. Not only do they prefer training for the job, but the credentials to go with it as well.

If you plan on relocating to another town or state and want to find a similar position, being certified will boost your chances of getting the job. Experience matters definitely, but a paper attesting to your knowledge and competence in medical assisting will give you the edge over other candidates. Remember, competition is tough because of so many schools offering a medical assistant program.

What does it take to become a certified MA? Below is a guide to help you.

What Are the Requirements to Complete the Medical Assistant Certification?

There are several professional organizations that grant the certification status. But the most notable are the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the Association of Medical Technologists or AMT. Pass their medical assistant certification tests and you’re given nationally recognized credentials.

However, a word of caution. There is some issue between these two organizations that led to the AAMA fighting for the exclusive right to use the term “certified.” If you take the AMT test and pass, you will receive the title registered medical assistant or RMA.

There is actually no difference between a CMA and RMA because both tested for the same knowledge and skills. Should you run into some problems because you are registered rather than certified, just indicate in small letters after your name, “certified medical assistant”. A letter from the AMT to attest that you are such is also available should you need one.

If you’ve been employed as a medical assistant for at least five years but without formal education, you can still qualify for the medical assistant certification exam with AMT. The AAMA does not offer this option.

Otherwise, you should have completed an accredited program for medical assisting, whether it is for a certificate or associate degree. Usually, schools or programs are accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Employers rely on the medical assistant certification as an indication you have had sufficient classroom or instructional work as well as practical training through internship. To qualify for the medical assistant certification exam, you need at least 760 to 900 hours combined of didactic sessions and laboratory or hands-on training.

How Much Does the AAMA Certification Test Cost?

Once you’ve completed the medical assistant training program, you can apply for the test of AAMA and pay the fee. If you are a member of the organization, is a recent graduate of, or will be graduating from a CAAHEP or ABHES program, you only need to pay $125. Otherwise, the regular fee is $250. Payment will pave the way for scheduling you for the test.

Upon receipt of your application and payment, you will be notified for the schedule of the exam, which is approximately three weeks before the exact date. You will be instructed how to set an appointment at the Prometric test center in your area. The exam can be taken throughout the year.

How Much Does the AMT Certification Test Cost?

The application fee for the medical assistant certification test given by the AMT is $95. This is provided you have met the qualifications for applicants, including completion of an accredited medical assisting program or scheduled graduation from one or been trained in the military or have at least five years experience as one. Tests are scheduled at Pearson VUE centers closest to you or in your school. Should you opt to take the exam at the center, you can choose the schedule you want at your convenience instead of wait for months in advance if you opt for the school-based test.

How Can you Prepare for the Test?

While you should receive adequate preparation in school while training to be a medical assistant, you can make things less stressful by going over your notes and reviewing the subject matter, including everything you learned during practicals.

Better yet, psyche yourself for the exam by practicing. How? Both the AAMA and AMT take you through the steps with reviewers and practice tests. This is to familiarize examinees with the process and give them an idea what is to be tested. Both have content outlines available as guide for what the test coverage will include. AAMA has exam review courses and if you can attend one in your area, this is supposedly going to help in your preparation. AMT, on the other hand, has a half-length test for $15 that you can take.

If you can network with professionals or volunteer your services, you give yourself an even better advantage as you prepare for the medical assistant certification exam. Those who will just be taking the exam but have been working for several years will also need some review courses. While actual practice does reinforce knowledge, it also needs to be refreshed for written purposes.

The exams are basically the same with 200 multiple-choice questions that will be answered in 160 minutes. Results will be immediately known but the formal notification will come through mail after a few weeks. Some employers, especially those where you may have taken your externship, may not have to wait before you actually receive your credentials before taking you in. Some graduates are not so fortunate even when they are properly credentialed and even with some experience.

What Are the Career Prospects for a Certified MA?

It will help that before you actually decide to enter a training program for medical assisting that you have an idea of the demand for workers in your area. With so many medical assistant schools offering courses, there may be a surplus of graduates but not enough opportunities to accommodate everyone. If you can volunteer your services beforehand, just to “introduce” yourself to prospective employers, do so because it could be worth your time and resources once you actually go to medical assisting school.

Understand that there will be places where there is a higher need for medical assistants, while there may be towns or states where the job market is saturated. Consider, too, the salary paid for these workers. Remember, a medical assistant certification is not mandated by law but having one could be a big boost to your chances of bagging that position.

Medical assistant schools in Hawaii are only a handful. The Hawaii Medical College has a 12-month clinical medical assisting program that prepares graduates to sit for a variety of certification exams, including for medical assistants. This is because training encompasses a wide range of skills, including phlebotomy and EKG. After graduation, students are eligible to also take the ECG, phlebotomy and OSHA certification. A total of 225 hours is required for externship to provide as much hands-on experience and contact time as possible for students. the Kapi’Olani Community School under University of Hawaii has two medical assisting programs that grants either a certificate of achievement or associate in science degree to graduates. Both are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Instead of classroom sessions, courses are conducted online, but supplemented by on-campus laboratory sessions and later put into practice during supervised practicum in affiliate medical clinics.

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